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Volume 39, Issue 1, 2025

Online ISSN: 3042-3511

ISSN: 3042-3503

Volume 39 , Issue 1, (2025)

Published: 31.03.2025.

Open Access

Welcome to Issue 39, No. 1 – the first of our two annual publications for this year. Inside, you'll find a curated selection of articles. Start your year with the essential knowledge and perspectives offered in this timely edition

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01.04.2018.

Poster session

Choristoma of the stomach: A case report

Aim: To present a case report of choristoma of the stomach. Introduction: Ectopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside its normal location without anatomic or vascular connections with the pancreas. It mostly occurs in upper gastrointestinal tract, predominantly in the stomach. It s likely to occur in men, at the age of 30-50 years. Case report: A thirty-year old male patient presented to the hospital for evaluation of epigastric symptoms. After clinical examinations, he underwent an esophago-gastroduodenoscopy which showed intramural tumor located along the greater curvature. The biopsy was taken which revealed normal gastric mucosa so it was suspected for gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient was submitted to laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and the material was received for pathohistological analysis. Macroscopically, there were several fragments, gray-pink coloured and lined with pink mucosa. In the largest fragment it was noticed irregular, oval gray-white node, measured 4x2.5x0.5cm. On serial cutting it was yellow. Histologically, described fragments revealed normal fundic mucosa and irregular node was consisted of pancreatic tissue localized in submucosa and lamina muscularis. It was formed of normal acini and Langerhans islets, with focally dilated pancreatic ducts and presence of mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Dysplasia wasn t found in the pancreatic tissue. The POSTER SESIJA 58 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. established diagnosis was Ectopic pancreatic tissue in stomach Choristoma of the stomach. Conclusion: Choristoma is rare condition and usually incidental finding important to be diagnosed because of the serious complications depending on which tissue is present in the organ, such as inflammation, bleeding and mailignant transformation.

Aleksandra Ilic, Tanja Lakic, Mirjana Zivojinov, Matilda Djolai

01.04.2018.

Poster session

A rare localization of alveolar soft part sarcoma: a case report

Aim: We present the case of a rare localization of the alveolar soft part of the sarcoma in the visceral organ. Introduction: Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare mesenchymal tumor typically occurring in young patients, more frequently in females. Common localization of ASPS is skeletal musculature of lower extremities. ASPS in visceral organs usually represents a metastasis from the more common primary location in skeletal muscles. ASPS is characterized by a tumor-specific translocation which causes the fusion of the TEF3 with a ASPL gene (also known as ASPSCR1). Case report: Female 47 years old was admitted to hospital due to abdominal pain. Urgent surgery was performed due to ileus. Ileal tumor was detected intraoperatively as a cause of ileus. Tumor was infiltrated whole intestinal circumference, with dimension 70mm x 47cm and evident perforation. Histology showed well-defined nests of pleomorphic cells separated by delicate fibrovascular septae. Within described nests there is a prominent lack of cellular cohesion, representing for the distinctive pseudoalveolar pattern. Immunohistochemical stadies were diffusely positive for TFE3 and focally positive for CD34 and alpha-SMA and negative for panCK, DOG-1, CD117, S-100, HMB45, Desmin. Immunopositivity for Ki67 was present in 20% of tumor cells. FISH analysis was done using locus specific dual color break-apart TFE3 (3 and 5 ) probe and rearrangement in the TFE3 gene was confirmed. Conclusion: Despite the fact that ASPS is rare mesenchymal tumor in visceral organs it have to be considered as possible diagnosis especially in cases with typical histological features and immunohistochemical profile. Definitive diagnosis of ASPS must be confirmed by FISH analysis.

Radmila Jankovic, Jelena Sopta, Sanja Cirovic, Martina Bosic, Jovan Jevtic, Ljubica Simic

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Collision Adenocarcinoma et small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder: a case report

Aim: To reported extremely rare case of collision adenocarcinomma et small cell neuroendocrine carcinomma of the gallbladder (SCNEC). Introduction: Collision cancers are malignancies in the same organ or anatomical site that comprises et least two different tumor components, with no mixed or transitional area between two component. Case report: 76 year old woman with abdominal pain, underwent ultrasonography evaluation which demonstrated cholelithiasis and gallbladder wall thickening. Cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis was performed.The macroscopic analysis revealed 2,5cm sized round nodular lesions in the fundus of the gallbladder.Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues were stained with H.E. Selected samples were stained immunochistochemically with chromogranin, synaptophysin et CK7. Microscopicaly, the tumor was composed of two components. Dominant component is adenocarcinomma, composed of tubular glands lined predominantly by columnar cells with pseudostratified et ovoid or elongated nuclei.In the area close to this component there was neuroendocrine carcinomma that came in touch with the previous one, but didnt infiltrate it. Neuroendocrine carcinomma was composed of round or fusiform cells, arranged in sheets, nests and cords.Tumor cells have round hyperchromatic nuclei with inconspicuous nucleoli. Neuroendocrine tumor cells were immunoreactive for chromogranin, synaptophysin. Epithelial cells were positive for CH7.The final pathologycal diagnosis was SCNEC. The tumor stage was II, T2, Nx, Mx. Conclusion: Prognosis for patient is poor.About 40-50 percent of patients have disseminated disease at the time of the diagnoses.SCNEC appear to be highly responsive to chemotherapy as well as radiotherapy and survival time more than one year have been reported.

Svetlana Kochmanovska Petreska, Liljana Spasevska, Boro Ilievski, Vladimir Stojkovski

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Rectal lipoma incarcerated in the anus as the cause of abudant rectorrhagia

Aim: Case report for rare complication rectorrhagia induced by rectal lipoma incarcerated in the anus . Introduction: Colorectal lipomas are rare tumors that are commonly diagnosed in the right colon, accidentaly during colonoscopy. When the lipomas are larger then 2 cm, they cause pain, bleeding, obstruction, incarceration and torsion. Material and Methods: We present the case of 50-year old man who comes to emergency ambulance with abundant rectorrhagia and blood presented on underwear and thighs. It is noted prolapse of the soft structure through the anus which is reponated into the anus. Anoproctoscopy was performed, which determines that it is polyp of rectum, although it seemed to be incarcerated hemorrhoids, due to the fact that the patient has been suffering from hemorrhoids with bleeding for several years,which is treated conservatively. It was found that it was not hemorrhoids prolaps or bleeding from them. Flexibile rectoscopy was performed on the untreated gut. The polypoid structure on peduncle,was verified in the distal rectum,3,5 cm from the pectinate line. Polypoid formation was electroresected and sent for pathohistological examination. Results: The patient was well tolerated intervention. Resected specimen revealed sessile pseudopolypoid tumor,eroded mucosa , diameter 28x25x24 mm.Histopathology revealed submucosal lipoma . Eroded mucosa is accompanied by focuses microbloods. Microcircuits of fatty necrosis are visible inside the lipoma. Conclusion: Lipom of the rectum is rare entity which is accidentaly diagnosed during colonoscopy. Extremly rare, lipom causes bleeding, which we present here.

Katarina Eric, Marko Miladinov, Milena Cosic Micev, Zoran Krivokapic

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Ectopic pancreatic tissue in a gallbladder: case report

Aim: We present an interesting case of pancreatic ectopic tissue in the gallbladder. Introduction: Ectopic or heterotopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue outside the boundaries of the pancreas that show no anatomical or vascular connection with the main body of the pancreas. Case report: We present a rare case of ectopic pancreas found in a 38 year-old man s gallbladder. Male patient was admitted to the Surgical Department Clinical Hospital Center Zvezdara, as scheduled for an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One year prior to the surgery he had had abdominal ultrasonography done during a routine hospital check up. Ultrasonographic examination of the whole abdomen had showed no abnormality, except for cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done. On gross examination, the gallbladder measured 9 cm in length and 3.5 cm in circumference, with a wall thickness ranging from 0.2 to 0.4 cm. On cutting open, one yellowish round stone, measuring 0.6 cm in diameter, was noted in the fundus. The mucosa was velvety flattened. A nodule of 1,5 cm in diameter was seen in the neck region, which on microscopic examination, showed a well circumscribed rest of heterotopic pancreatic tissue, composed of lobules of exocrine pancreatic acini and an occasional duct. Islets of Langerhans were also present. Conclusion: Ectopic pancreatic tissue in a gallbladder is a very rare condition which is usually diagnosed incidentally. Up to the presents, only about 30 cases have been reported. The clinical significance of the ectopic pancreas remains unclear and it requires further exploration.

Marija Milic Perovic, Aleksandra Paunovic Markovic, Natasa Djurdjevic, Marija Cubrilo, Jelena Kuzmanovic, Jovan Juloski, Lidija Vuckovic Hardi

01.04.2018.

Poster session

EGFR mutations in lung carcinomas and quality of samples tested at Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine in Belgrade

Aim: To examine the quality of tested lung carcinoma samples, frequency and type of EGFR mutations, and their correlation with patients clinical characteristics (gender, age, smoking habits, clinical stage). Introduction: Mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) have a role in lung carcinoma development and they are more prevalent in women and non-smokers. Evaluation of EGFR mutations in lung carcinomas in mandatory for targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Test performance depends on the quality of tested samples and a test type. Material and Methods: We evaluated reports of EGFR mutation real-time PCR analyses in lung carcinoma samples performed from June 2017 till February 2018. Presence of mutations was correlated with clinical characteristics of lung carcinoma patients. Results: A total of 341 samples was received for testing, among which 40 (11.7%) was unsuitable for analysis due to a low tumor cell content (<5%). Three types of mutations were detected in a total of 24 (8%) cases: L858R in 12 (50%) cases, exon 19 deletion in 10 (41.7%) cases, and G719A/C/S in two cases (8.3%). Mutations were more prevalent in women (13.7%) then in men (4.3%) (p=0.004). Patients with EGFR mutated tumors were older (67,6ą9,4 years), compared to those with non-mutated tumors (62,3ą8,8 years) (p=0,003). Smoking habits and clinical stage were not associated with mutation status in lung carcinomas. Mutations were detected only in adenocarcinomas. Conclusion: Our results suggest the low frequency of EGFR mutations in tested patients, but they are more prevalent in women and older patients.

Sanja Cirovic, Sofija Glumac, Nevena Pandrc, Zorica Tojaga, Ivan Zaletel, Jovan Jevtic, Violeta Mihailovic Vucinic, Natalija Samardzic, Sanja Radojevic Skodric, Martina Bosic

01.04.2018.

Special Session

Morphological characteristics of precancerous pancreatic lesions

Pancreatic cancer is high aggressive malignant neoplasm with very poor prognosis and about only 5% a five-year survival. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in USA, as well in Serbia, although in terms of the incidence of this disease the mortality is rising and it takes seventh place. Speaking about the southern Backa, the mortality rate is slightly lower and it is the fifth place, according to the available literature. This can be explained by the lack of highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tests, which makes pancreatic cancer most often detected by an advanced, inoperable stage of the disease (>60%), although surgical resection is the only curative therapy. Analogous to other carcinomas, there is a gradual progression of the pancreatic duct epithelial cells, so every invasive carcinoma arises from the previous intraepithelial neoplasia. There are three different types of common precancerous lesions known for pancreatic cancer which clinical detection and treatment can stop the progression to invasive cancer and reduce mortality. The first one is Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PanIN), and the other two types of precancerous lesions are both larger fluid-filled types- Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms (IPMNs) and Mucinous Cystic Neoplasms (MCNs). PanIN is an asymptomatic, small (usually <5 mm in diameter), nonfluid flat or papillary lesion arising in the small intralobular pancreatic ducts. It is the most common and important precursor of invasive pancreatic carcinoma. Histologically, it’s consisted of columnar to cuboidal cells with varying amounts of mucin. Accordingly to different degrees of cytological and architectural atypia, PanIN is classified into three grades- low, intermediate and high grade. PanIN-1A (flat) and PanIN-1B (papillary) are low grade lesions with minimal atypia, while PanIN-2 belongs to intermediate lesion showing mild to moderate atypia with frequent papillae. PanIN-3, also referred as “carcinoma in situ”, is characterized by severe cytological and architectural atypia amd it can be flat, papillary or cribriform pattern. The immunohistochemical profile of PanINs vary with the grade of dysplasia. Low grade lesions show positivity for gastric foveolar mucin MUC5AC, pyloric gland mucin MUC6, while MUC1 is almost exclusively expressed by high grade PanINs lesions. Among fluid-filled types of precancerous pancreatic lesions, IPMNs are the most common lesions. IPMNs vary in their location and size within the pancreas size, and these two features correlate with how dangerous they are. Because they can be detected by imaging procedures, it is possible to detect them before they become cancer. They are most often detected in patients who are routinely monitored due to a high familial risk, or incidentally in people who were imaged for another reason. Those lesions belong to group of the heterogeneous group of cystic pancreatic lesions because papillary epithelial proliferation and mucin production lead to cystic dilatation of involved ducts. SPECIJALNA SESIJA: KATEDRA ZA PATOLOGIJU MEDICINSKOG FAKULTETA, UNIVERZITETA NOVI SAD, SRBIJA 29 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. Those lesions are slightly more common in the head and uncinate process (55%) compared with the body and the tail of the pancreas and about 30% of them are multifocal. IPMNs are subdivided into main duct IPMN (MD-IPMN) which are localized in the main pancreatic duct and measured ≥5 mm, while the other branch duct type (BD-IPMN) is >5 mm in diameter andcommunicates with the main pancreatic duct but it is uninvolved by the process. Mixed IPMN combines both types. Microscopically, the lining epithelial component is represented by tall mucin producing columnar cells but lack the “ovarian-type” seen in mucinous cystic neoplasms. Like PanINs, IPMNs are graded on the basis of the greatest degree of dysplasia into low grade, moderate and high grade dysplasia or carcinoma in situ and IPMN with associated invasive carcinoma. Many studies have showed that approximately one-third of patients with IPMN are associated with invasive carcinoma, so precise basement membrane micro analysis is an imperative. Accordingly to their histological characteristics there are intestinal, pancreatobiliary, oncocytic and gastric subtype of IPMN with different immunohistochemical profiles. Intestinal-type IPMN is characterized by tall columnar cells with elongated nuclei and amphophilic cytoplasm and MUC2, MUC5AC, MUC4 and CDX-2 positivity. In contrast, pancreatobiliary subtype of IPMN is characterised by branched papillae with high grade intraepithelial neoplasms and MUC1 And MUC5AC immuno positivity. The third are oncocytic type, predominantly occurs in main duct and presented with a complex branched papillary structures covered by oncocytic cells mixed with goblet cells and mucin-containing cells. This type shows diffuse positivity for MUC5AC, MUC6 and focal positivity for MUC1 or MUC2. The gastric subtype is low grade lesions mainly found in branched ducts and characterised by papillae covered by foveolar glandular epithelium with MUC5AC and sometimes MUC6 positivity. The last and the most infrequent type of pre-cancerous pancreatic lesions are MCNs. The principle difference between IPMNs and MCNs is how they look under a microscope, and how they behave in the patient. These cystic lesions are almost solitary, typically located in the pancreatic body and tail. Grossly, this lesion can grow very large, it is usually septated and with fibrous pseudocapsule often with calcifications. Histologically, the epithelium og noninvasive MCN is consisted of columnar cells with varying degree of dysplasia (low grade, moderate and high grade dysplasia) and underlying ovarian-like stroma. Immunohistochemically, thode epithelial cells are EMA, CEA, MUC5AC, MUC2, cytokeratins 7, 8/18 and 19 positive, while the underlying ovarian-like stroma shows ER, PR, vimentin and SMA immune reactivity. Precancerous lesions of the pancreas are important changes whose visualization and detection in a significant number would reduce the incidence of pancreatic cancer and, consequently, the mortality of this highly aggressive neoplasm with an unfavorable therapy outcome.

Mirjana Zivojinov

01.04.2018.

Special Session

Diagnostic dilemmas in lymph node biopsies

Pathologists often have a dilemma is a lymph node biopsy reactive or corresponds to a lymphoproliferative or other malignant disease. In everyday routine work, we rely on morphologic criteria and immunohistochemical analyzes. In better-equipped labs additional cytogenetic and molecular methods are used if morphology and immunohistochemical analyzes are not sufficient for getting correct diagnoses. It is important to know clinical presentation and the opinion of a clinician who runs the case. In reactive lymph nodes general morphology is mostly preserved. Distribution of B and T cells, histiocytes, dendritic cells and proliferation is adequate. Foreign cells are not present. Ways of reaction in lymph nodes are follicular hyperplasia, paracortical expansion, sinus histiocytosis and granuloma formation. If metastases are present, most often from carcinomas and melanomas, the initial deposits are usually sub capsular or less often in sinuses. One should be careful to differentiate sinus histiocytes and metastatic tumor cells, what can easily be verified by immunohistochemical stains.If it is a lymphoma, one should decide is it a Hodgkin or a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In non-Hodgkin lymphomas, one should decide between small cell and large cell lymphomas. In non-Hodgkin lymphomas, tumor cells are dominant and background inflammation is scant and mostly consisted of small T cells and rare histiocytes. In T cell lymphomas background inflammation can be quite various. In Hodgkin lymphomas background inflammation most often is various and almost always outnumbers tumor cells. Tumor cells are large, with lobulated or multiple nuclei and conspicuous nucleoli. The immunophenotype is usually clearly different from non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The differentiation of small cell and large cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas is easily made by comparing cell sizes. If tumor cell size is closer to size of histiocytes or endothelium it is a large cell lymphoma, but if it SPECIJALNA SESIJA: KATEDRA ZA PATOLOGIJU MEDICINSKOG FAKULTETA, UNIVERZITETA NOVI SAD, SRBIJA 31 MATERIA MEDICA • Vol. 34 • Issue 1, suplement 1 • april 2018. is closer to small lymphocytes and red blood cells it is a small cell lymphoma. Differentiation of small cell lymphomas is based on morphology, distribution of cells and on immunophenotype. Differentiation of large cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas requires immunohistochemical analyzes because morphology is often very similar among entities. Correct diagnosis is important due to application of optimal therapy and reaching the best prognosis for the patient.

Zoran Nikin

01.04.2018.

Poster session

Pneumotorax and subcutaneus emphysema as the first manifestation of miliary tuberculosis

Aim: We present a case of a patient with pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema as the first manifestation of miliary tuberculosis. Introduction: Miliary tuberculosis is the result of hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with weak immuno-defensive mechanisms. Pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema are possible complications of miliary tuberculosis. Case report: A woman aged 64 years old reported to the regional institution because of breathing difficulties. On the radiograph of the chest, pneumothorax was observed left, and the left thoracic drain was placed. Subcutaneous emphysema and global respiratory insufficiency were reported an hour later after which the patient was transferred to our facility. At the admission the patient was in poor general condition, intubated, hemodynamically unstable, markers of inflammation were elevated with the presence of electrolyte imbalance and severe anemia. On the chest radiogram, there was recorded: pneumothorax left, pneumonia right and generalized subcutaneous emphysema, and thoracal drain that was placed. Intensive therapy had improved the condition of the patient, after which she was extubated. Progression of respiratory insufficiency and lethal outcome occurred on the second day of admission. An autopsy was performed. A macroscopic examination and pathohistological analysis found: massive subcutaneous emphysema in the chest, well-placed thoracal drain, bilateral pleural effusion, bilateral acute tuberculous caverns in the lungs and necrotizing granulomas in: the lungs, liver, spleen and larynx which have led to asphyxiation and aviation outcome. Conclusion: In poorly-fed patients with the development of pneumothorax, subcutaneous emphysema and severe respiratory disorders, it is necessary to suspect tuberculosis.

Vladimir Zecev, Dragana Tegeltija, Tijana Vasiljevic, Bojan Radovanovic, Zivka Eri

01.04.2018.

Special Session

Scoring Systems in the Diagnosis of the Most Common Primary Tumors of the Adrenal Gland

The fourth Edition of the World Health Organization’s Classification of Tumours of Endocrine Organs from 2017 introduced some novelties based primarily on genetic research, compared to the previous edition from 2004. The most common primary tumors of the adrenal cortex are adenomas, and of the adrenal medulla are pheochromocytomas. As such, these tumors have their specificities in pathohistological diagnosis, by which they differentiate from tumors of other localizations. In the daily work of the pathologist dealing with the diagnosis of the tumor of the adrenal gland, differential diagnostic problems can occur, where biological behavior of the tumor cannot be predicted based on its morphological appearance; this primarily refers to cortical neoplasms and phaeochromocytomas. Scoring systems are used in these cases, Weiss and Lin-Weiss-Bisceglia criteria for cortical neoplasms, and PASS criteria for pheochromocytomas, where by recognizing the suggested morphological parameters, value or score is obtained which predicts the biological behavior of the tumor, i.e. differentiates benign from malignant neoplasms. The accepted algorithm of diagnostics of adrenocortical neoplasms also includes immunohistochemical staining for ki-67, which potentially can differentiate adrenocortical adenoma from carcinoma. Despite the introduction of these scoring systems, the only safe indicator of malignancy is still distant metastasis.

Sandra Trivunic Dajko

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